Heat exhaustion? Or just "heat intolerance"?

Question

I'm clear on the differences between heat exhaustion vs. heatstroke. But I'm NOT clear if what I had yesterday was heat exhaustion or simply "heat intolerance".

I spent 5 hours at an outdoor festival. I wore a white straw hat to deflect the sun and heat. I drank 24-36 oz of liquid thruout the day (I ate some light food too). I sometimes put water on my skin to evaporate, because I wanted to help cool my body. I hung out in the shade when I could, but there wasn't a lot of it.

Despite all this, by the end of the day I felt AWFUL! :( I know some symptoms of heat exhaustion are nausea, vomiting and feeling faint. I didn't have those. And I don't know if I looked pale (another symptom).

However, I was so fatigued that I could barely walk; I felt like my body was made of lead. I wanted to lie down and sleep. I had a headache. I felt giddy, and couldn't always get my words to come out right! And of course I felt HOT! :(

Did I suffer mild heat exhaustion, or am I simply heat-intolerant?

Some of the liquid was mineral water. Some of the liquid was fruit juice. Most were cold/cool (I was trying to keep my core body temperature down).

I may have become slightly dehydrated, but I doubt it was "severe". The reason I say that, is because I don't sweat a lot. I've NEVER been someone who makes a lot of sweat. :( This trait is my downfall when I spend time outside. But at least I'm less likely to get dehydrated, since I'm not losing a lot of moisture via sweat. Or maybe not?

Sorry *blush*! I think I may've thrown people a red herring when I spoke of my sweating problem -- especially person 5, who said little-to-no sweat is a heatstroke sign.

My body doesn't make a lot of sweat, period. :( It never has. I *do* sweat, but it's usually not enough to sufficiently cool me when doing a "sweat-worthy" activity -- for lack of a better word.

I really appreciate everyone's thoughtful/helpful answers! :) I'll probably pick a Best one tomorrow! :)

Answer 1

If the humidity was high you could very well have suffered heat exhaustion. You become dehydrated much quicker in humidity. If you were also having difficulty with thought process you may have been hypoglycemic along with the dehydration. Try adding some simple table sugar to the water you are drinking and stay completely clear of caffeine. Some people have a bit of a thyroid problem that inhibits the body from regulating temperature.There is also portable ice fans you can purchase that have a mister attached to the ice water bottle. Hope this helps you.

Answer 2

Your lack of perspiration could be a sign of heat stroke, but you remained awke and somewhat alert. If it were truly heat stroke you would have passed out and woke up ina hospital. I believe what you experienced was heat exhaustion. The 24-36 ounces of water only equal two and a half soda cans full during 5 hours of intense heat. Not enough I'm affraid. You mentioned that you ate light as well. It would probably be safe to say that you were also a lil' hypoglycemic. I hope you're feeling better today.

Answer 3

Sounds to me like you were dehydrated. Not sweating or sweating very little is not good. Besides it doesn't seem like you were drinking enough liquid. Water, powerade, and gatorade is what you should have been drinking and lots of it. You'd much rather feel like you are going to swim away, than feel the way you did by the end of the day.

Answer 4

I would say heat exhaustion. The juice dehydrated you, and you needed more liquid. When you say "light food", what do you mean. if you barley ate that would also make you weak and your body would have to work harder to get the energy to move. That would also explain the incoherence.

Answer 5

well what was that "liquid"? and that's not enough for 5 hours of sun even if it was water. and if it wasn't water it probably even dehydrated you more. It really sounds like you had severe dehydration to me.